C'mon Hollywood: More Rango, Less Chipmunks!

THE LORAX, a kid’s movie based on the book by Dr. Seuss, dominated the box office this past weekend, pulling in just over $70 million bucks. Now, what does that tell you? Do you think there’ll be more Dr. Seuss adaptations on the way? You bet your ass. Is it a good thing? Depends on whom you ask.

Children’s movies are made for children, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be enjoyed by anyone older than five. This is especially important to parents, who are inundated with some of the most irritatingly awful movies and shows geared towards kids. There is no escape. But, there is hope…on occasion.

As a parent (especially if you’re a movie geek) you long for the day that you’ll be able to watch your favorite films with your offspring, sharing and reliving the joy of those films through their eyes for the first time. However, there’s a grace period to this. The first few years and even beyond that, you find yourself having to sacrifice brain cells, watching shit that you would never, in a million years, dream of watching otherwise.

The problem with these films is that they cater to the lowest common denominator. Not only do they treat your kids like morons, but they laugh at you while you suffer through it with them. It’s not enough that you spend your money on the merchandise, including toys, clothes, diapers, and happy meals; no, they have to drive the stake further into your heart by making a movie that is completely intolerable.

CARS 2 was so surprisingly awful and shameless in its execution that my son begged to leave the theater out of boredom. It was an insult to parents (and general moviegoers) everywhere. There is an entire aisle filled with toys from that movie, including end caps, which is the most telling about that film. It was never about the quality of the movie, but the ka-ching of merchandising.

The saving grace for any parent is the film that caters to both the child and the parent. Films like RANGO, KUNG FU PANDA, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, and FANTASTIC MR. FOX are great examples. Gorgeous animation, genuine humor, and an engaging story that doesn’t treat you like an idiot. These films recognize not only the target audience, but also the people that are taking that target audience to the theater. What it boils down to is respect and consideration; two pillars that film’s like ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS and THE SMURFS completely ignore.

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS was a fun little Saturday-morning cartoon that got morphed into ho-hum CGI, with decent actors selling their souls for a paycheck, and wince-inducing dialogue referencing some form of pop-culture every five seconds like clockwork. It’s not only insulting, but it’s embarrassing. You struggle everyday to make the right decisions for your kids and here you are making a piss poor one by taking them to an absolutely awful movie with no redeeming qualities.

The opposite side of the “brainless” kids film is the “political agenda” kids film. Why do we need any political messages, especially when they’re so pedestrian? The themes are beaten over our heads in Kindergarten fashion, never presenting anything of substantiated truth, just broad, sweeping ideals. Everything from Big Oil to global warming is thrown over you like a bucket of ice water.

It’s not to say that these themes can’t be covered in a film, but why not save it for an audience that would be more engaged? A kid that can’t tie his own shoelaces is not looking for solutions to save the rainforest. If you want to engage young minds, shouldn’t it be with relevant material? What about bullying, teamwork, confidence, family, responsibility, etc?

Studios know that adults are going to bring their kids to the movies. All that any parent wants in sharing this time-honored tradition with their kids is to enjoy a good, quality film that is relevant and appropriate for the audience it caters to. For all the effort it takes to line up a babysitter, prepare your child for a two-hour journey to the theater, buying snacks, beverages, and playing that f*cking stuffed animal game 12 times in a row, the very least the studios can do is put some effort into their 90-minute, merchandise-laden, “message” film.

And who knows, they might win an Oscar for it…

Extra Tidbit:

I know there are a lot of Schmoes out there with kids...Let your voices be heard and strikeback with your thoughts on the issue.

Interesting Article

As others have pointed out, "Rango" isn't a kids movie. Nothing in it would make much sense to them. More importantly, "Rango" is more insulting than the "Chipmunks" movies because at least those aren't hiding behind a facade of any kind. "Rango" thinks it's audience to be unbelievably stupid, but because it's references are more obscure and not referenced that much, it's got a somewhat 'hip' vibe going on (however misplaced that definitely is). It just screams "LOOK AT ME! SEE I AM COOL!" when

As others have pointed out, "Rango" isn't a kids movie. Nothing in it would make much sense to them. More importantly, "Rango" is more insulting than the "Chipmunks" movies because at least those aren't hiding behind a facade of any kind. "Rango" thinks it's audience to be unbelievably stupid, but because it's references are more obscure and not referenced that much, it's got a somewhat 'hip' vibe going on (however misplaced that definitely is). It just screams "LOOK AT ME! SEE I AM COOL!" when it has less than one full brain cell floating around in it's surreal little head. I would go on, but there just isn't the space for it; however, I can back-up all this with evidence (for lack of a better word). If anyone wants to know more, let me know.

Also, "Cars 2", while a cash ploy from the usually reliable Pixar, isn't still less insulting than just about ever other film you mentioned to be, on a sheer competency level. "Chipmunks", "The Smurfs", and especially "Cat In The Hat" are rolling out joke after joke and pop culture reference after pop culture reference. "Cars 2" has solid action, and is well animated (unlike the CGI in the "Chipmunks" & especially "The Smurfs"). The problem there was Mater. We never felt bad for him, because McQueen was right to yell at him. This renders the rest of the film flat, but at least it tried, unlike these other films.

sorry if this is long but..

This article brought up a lot of memories of the movies i have enjoyed as a young'n. I don't have kids of my own, but i do have a young brother who i taken to the movies. He enjoys the shit out of those marvel movies, so thats kinda cool, but since he is a kid, there are those kid movies he wants to see, and chances are i'll take him. I sat through shit storms and hell, but there have been time when I enjoyed myself for than him, particularly Rango. Last november I had the great chance to take

This article brought up a lot of memories of the movies i have enjoyed as a young'n. I don't have kids of my own, but i do have a young brother who i taken to the movies. He enjoys the shit out of those marvel movies, so thats kinda cool, but since he is a kid, there are those kid movies he wants to see, and chances are i'll take him. I sat through shit storms and hell, but there have been time when I enjoyed myself for than him, particularly Rango. Last november I had the great chance to take out him out to a great movie I knew him and I will both love - The Muppets. It was a great experience, not only because of it being such a great movie, but because its the bringing of two generations viewing something made for both audiences

As for the next Seuss film, I'm starting to think either Oh The Places You Will Go or Green Eggs and Ham.

gotta agree with some of the others

I mean, I loved Rango, was super surprised by it - but it's a movie that very few children would enjoy, especially over something else like the Lorax. There was too much in it geared for an older crowd that just alienates the younger viewer. I mean sure, I loved it, but all in all there's NOTHING wrong with these Chipmunk movies and the like. Sure, I hate them, but I'm not the target audience and as much as you 'don't want my kid to watch that shit' mose kids LOVE that 'shit' and have an

I mean, I loved Rango, was super surprised by it - but it's a movie that very few children would enjoy, especially over something else like the Lorax. There was too much in it geared for an older crowd that just alienates the younger viewer. I mean sure, I loved it, but all in all there's NOTHING wrong with these Chipmunk movies and the like. Sure, I hate them, but I'm not the target audience and as much as you 'don't want my kid to watch that shit' mose kids LOVE that 'shit' and have an absolute blast with it -- I know I did when I was really young, but as I got older I matured by MYSELF and gradually started liking those movies less and liking other types more. It's just the way things go and I really don't think there is ANYTHING wrong with it, just leave it be and don't force anything on anyone -- sure expose them to different things but more than anything just let them enjoy what they enjoy, even if you don't.

I wish Disney would hype the Studio Ghibli releases a little better! Arrietty was another great release that too few people are watching! There is great animation out there but the studios shy away from them most of the time.

I wish Disney would hype the Studio Ghibli releases a little better! Arrietty was another great release that too few people are watching! There is great animation out there but the studios shy away from them most of the time.

they shy away from it because the main market for animation is kids and the truth is whether you like it or not the vast majority of kids in North America don't like those kinds of movies/that kind of animation for the most part. It's just business, if every kid would beg their parents to take them to a Studio Ghibli movie trust me, Disney would put it in every damn theatre on the continent. There just isn't any demand for it.

they shy away from it because the main market for animation is kids and the truth is whether you like it or not the vast majority of kids in North America don't like those kinds of movies/that kind of animation for the most part. It's just business, if every kid would beg their parents to take them to a Studio Ghibli movie trust me, Disney would put it in every damn theatre on the continent. There just isn't any demand for it.

Hear, hear...!

Outstanding article. Really hits the nail on the head.Being a movie nut father of a six year old I can totally relate and hope and pray for this to come to pass more often. We both enjoyed How to Train a Dragon. I'll admit to seeing the Tooth Fairy, but I've been a big fan of The Rock for many years, so I considered that an even trade off. Although, thank God he's balanced that out more now with some ass-kickers. I got dragged to 2 Chipmunk movies. Thank God Gramma is around to tolerate the

Outstanding article. Really hits the nail on the head.Being a movie nut father of a six year old I can totally relate and hope and pray for this to come to pass more often. We both enjoyed How to Train a Dragon. I'll admit to seeing the Tooth Fairy, but I've been a big fan of The Rock for many years, so I considered that an even trade off. Although, thank God he's balanced that out more now with some ass-kickers. I got dragged to 2 Chipmunk movies. Thank God Gramma is around to tolerate the crap like Smurfs. My wife actually took her to see The Lorax. My kid liked it, but my wife said it was too short and the whole movie was about planting a damn tree (message?). I won't bore you with the details of trying to train and hope my kids will be as well versed in movies as I, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see there's a lot of crap thrown to a wall, but it makes the studios their money.

Just to speak for the Lorax...

...because he's... busy speaking for the trees? Anyway...

Just for starters, I totally agree with your points here. Were the movies we grew up with so pandering to stupidity, thereby encouraging of it? Not that I recall. Even the lesser ones were challenging (IE Rock-A-Doodle, just to name one).

I will say, however, that The Lorax is a quality picture that, while entirely propagandistic in its approach and somewhat artistically cheapened as a result, is complexly woven with ideas like an

...because he's... busy speaking for the trees? Anyway...

Just for starters, I totally agree with your points here. Were the movies we grew up with so pandering to stupidity, thereby encouraging of it? Not that I recall. Even the lesser ones were challenging (IE Rock-A-Doodle, just to name one).

I will say, however, that The Lorax is a quality picture that, while entirely propagandistic in its approach and somewhat artistically cheapened as a result, is complexly woven with ideas like an isolated throe of humanity governed not by politicians but by a corporation, and the natural thought process that goes in to destructive capitalism (Ed Helms' "How Bad Can I Be?" is perhaps the best part of the film). It does cater maybe too much to kiddies, too, by providing amusement-parkish 3D with frivolous action sequences and Minion-esque critters that distract through the overarching themes... but all in all it's a film I can't wait to show my daughter when she's old enough in another year or two.

Am I thrilled it will probably usher in even more Seuss adaptations, though? Eh... probably not. What the heck is Yertle the Turtle going to look like? Bartholomew and the Oobleck? I could be surprised, but the prospect is not promising. It's not.

We're more likely to remember the classic movies of our youth, but let's be honest, there was a lot of crap around when we were kids too, and most of us probably watched a lot of it. Let the little ones enjoy their Chipmunks. It's not going to kill ya to spend some time with them watching something they like that isn't exactly our cup of tea, and there's plenty of time to introduce them to the good stuff when they actually have the attention span for it. I love Fantastic Mr. Fox and Rango, but

We're more likely to remember the classic movies of our youth, but let's be honest, there was a lot of crap around when we were kids too, and most of us probably watched a lot of it. Let the little ones enjoy their Chipmunks. It's not going to kill ya to spend some time with them watching something they like that isn't exactly our cup of tea, and there's plenty of time to introduce them to the good stuff when they actually have the attention span for it. I love Fantastic Mr. Fox and Rango, but the average 3 or 4 year old isn't going to really "get" those movies.

Love Rango. Greatest Spaghetti Western ever directed by a guy named Verbinski.

Also...don't lump the first Spy Kids movie in with its atrocious sequels. Great family film with smart humor and performances. Plus, its the movie that first made a lot of us notice fanboy favorites Danny Trejo and Carla Gugino. Robert Rodriguez does his best work when he's working with a fresh idea (Planet Terror, The Faculty, Sin City) not so much his sequels (Once Upon a Time in Mexico, all the follow-on Spy

Love Rango. Greatest Spaghetti Western ever directed by a guy named Verbinski.

Also...don't lump the first Spy Kids movie in with its atrocious sequels. Great family film with smart humor and performances. Plus, its the movie that first made a lot of us notice fanboy favorites Danny Trejo and Carla Gugino. Robert Rodriguez does his best work when he's working with a fresh idea (Planet Terror, The Faculty, Sin City) not so much his sequels (Once Upon a Time in Mexico, all the follow-on Spy Kids movies.)

I dunno, sir

I think it's amazing that these movies that only have to entertain children are by majority very good; the fact that we only have a few hollow franchise cash-ins doesn't bother me, just like I find it hard to be pissed off about Cars 2 when Pixar has almost exclusively produced great movies otherwise. If any region of current cinema seems to be getting it right, it's kids movies.

I think it's amazing that these movies that only have to entertain children are by majority very good; the fact that we only have a few hollow franchise cash-ins doesn't bother me, just like I find it hard to be pissed off about Cars 2 when Pixar has almost exclusively produced great movies otherwise. If any region of current cinema seems to be getting it right, it's kids movies.

Great article

This story highlights a sad reality that only seems to be getting worse. I myself am only 26, with no kids yet, but being an avid animation fan, this is my realm. Not sure if I've gotten older and my perspective has changed, but it seems like all the kids movies these days are catering to the ADHD generation. Where are the deep stories of sadness and loss, where the characters go on real journeys, and there are real stakes. The Land Before Time comes to mind...Little Foot losing his mother has

This story highlights a sad reality that only seems to be getting worse. I myself am only 26, with no kids yet, but being an avid animation fan, this is my realm. Not sure if I've gotten older and my perspective has changed, but it seems like all the kids movies these days are catering to the ADHD generation. Where are the deep stories of sadness and loss, where the characters go on real journeys, and there are real stakes. The Land Before Time comes to mind...Little Foot losing his mother has got to be one of the saddest scenes in any movie ever, and it's a kids' movie! Kids are smart too, they need to be intellectually challenged. I am honestly scared to see what kind of desensitized individuals some of this material produces. For the kids stuck with repeat viewings of Chipwrecked!, I am truly sad. If this is what our kids are consuming, what is the outcome going to be? Probably even worse than it is now.

I'm not being sarcastic: have you watched much Pixar? Pretty much every substantial theme of story telling's been explored in those movies. I know what you mean with LBT, but I don't remember that being the norm back then, necessarily.

I'm not being sarcastic: have you watched much Pixar? Pretty much every substantial theme of story telling's been explored in those movies. I know what you mean with LBT, but I don't remember that being the norm back then, necessarily.

Rango wasn't a kids movie. Clint Eastwood showing up in a golf cart at the end would do nothing but confuse children. I literally had to spend an HOUR talking to my 8 year-old after the movie explaining why certain things in that movie existed.

I have nothing against kids films or animated films, as long as their good. If it's

Rango wasn't a kids movie. Clint Eastwood showing up in a golf cart at the end would do nothing but confuse children. I literally had to spend an HOUR talking to my 8 year-old after the movie explaining why certain things in that movie existed.

I agree

Like most of our Hollywood problems parent could stop this. I have never taken my kids to something that looks like crap. I also freely tell them when a movie looks like crap so that they can be more choosey. (I also freely admit when I'm wrong as with How to Train a Dragon, which I thought looked bad but was very good.)

Like most of our Hollywood problems parent could stop this. I have never taken my kids to something that looks like crap. I also freely tell them when a movie looks like crap so that they can be more choosey. (I also freely admit when I'm wrong as with How to Train a Dragon, which I thought looked bad but was very good.)

I think there are two categories here - animated movies that adults like & children like. I enjoy Rango and The Adv. of Tintin immensely while my nephew doesn't understand a thing about Rango but he enjoys The Adv. of Tintin as it's more accessible for him. A balance between good-quality animated movies and some dumb-fun animated movies for kids would be okay. Just try not to churn out any more Shrek or Chipmunk movies.

I think there are two categories here - animated movies that adults like & children like. I enjoy Rango and The Adv. of Tintin immensely while my nephew doesn't understand a thing about Rango but he enjoys The Adv. of Tintin as it's more accessible for him. A balance between good-quality animated movies and some dumb-fun animated movies for kids would be okay. Just try not to churn out any more Shrek or Chipmunk movies.

going out on a limb

But Im going to totally disagree here. I loved Rango and am glad when, each year, we get one or two animated features that cater to adults as much, if not more, than to the kiddies. But these movies arent for us. My kid hated Rango and said when it wasnt boring her it was scaring her. But she laughs that little laugh every 30 seconds of Chipmunks 2 and 3 (hates 1).
If i want grown up animation all the time, Japan churns it out like they do cars and hot girls. Dreamworks and Pixar get it,

But Im going to totally disagree here. I loved Rango and am glad when, each year, we get one or two animated features that cater to adults as much, if not more, than to the kiddies. But these movies arent for us. My kid hated Rango and said when it wasnt boring her it was scaring her. But she laughs that little laugh every 30 seconds of Chipmunks 2 and 3 (hates 1).
If i want grown up animation all the time, Japan churns it out like they do cars and hot girls. Dreamworks and Pixar get it, generally. I let the kids have their shit, and i have mine.

Actually, Rango wasn't for kids despite the PG rating. Americans assume that just because it's animated, it's automatically a kid's movie or tv show. Ever watch "Archer" on FX? Or how about Robot Chicken on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block? Think those are suitable for children just because they're animated?
Animation is a viable storytelling media just like live-action film and tv. The Asian countries get this, but we still have a bias here in the States and even in Europe. So while I agree

Actually, Rango wasn't for kids despite the PG rating. Americans assume that just because it's animated, it's automatically a kid's movie or tv show. Ever watch "Archer" on FX? Or how about Robot Chicken on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block? Think those are suitable for children just because they're animated?
Animation is a viable storytelling media just like live-action film and tv. The Asian countries get this, but we still have a bias here in the States and even in Europe. So while I agree that there should be more great movies like Rango, I do not agree that a movie like Rango is made for children.
It's an old argument, and one that even caused the Academy to wrongly separate out animated films from the Best Picture category. Because if you're going to start making sub-categories for awards, you may as well go all the way and separate ALL films into genres for Academy consideration.

I think one aspect you're not looking at is marketing. Rango was produced by Nickelodeon, a predominantly "kid's" network and the film was marketed as such. When I went to see it in theaters it as jam-packed with kids. To say that Rango was not made with the intent to make mountains of money off kids/parents is just untrue.

Shows like Robot Chicken and Archer are not geared towards children or marketed as such. My kid is in bed long before those air and rightfully so.

As for the

I think one aspect you're not looking at is marketing. Rango was produced by Nickelodeon, a predominantly "kid's" network and the film was marketed as such. When I went to see it in theaters it as jam-packed with kids. To say that Rango was not made with the intent to make mountains of money off kids/parents is just untrue.

Shows like Robot Chicken and Archer are not geared towards children or marketed as such. My kid is in bed long before those air and rightfully so.

As for the Academy...I simply don't care what Hollywood does with its annual handjob to itself. They can categorize and sub-categorize all they want. Their awards show has almost nothing to do with the people that pay to see their films.